When Is Ramadan 2026?

We're barely into 2026, but if you're Muslim, chances are you're already thinking about Ramadan. Maybe you need to request time off work, plan around school schedules, or just mentally prepare yourself for the month ahead.

This article answers the main questions: when Ramadan 2026 is expected to start, why the dates change every year, and some practical ways to get ready without stressing yourself out.

Expected Start Date of Ramadan 2026

Ramadan 2026 is expected to start on Thursday, February 19, or Friday, February 20, 2026.

The two-day uncertainty is completely normal—it's not poor planning. Ramadan begins based on the sighting of the hilal (the new crescent moon), not a fixed calendar date.

Here's how it works: on the evening of Sha'ban 29 (the month before Ramadan), Muslims watch for the crescent moon. Spot it? Ramadan starts tomorrow. Don't see it? Sha'ban gets a 30th day, then Ramadan begins.

Different communities handle moon sighting differently—some rely on local observations, others follow announcements from Saudi Arabia or major Islamic organizations. But everyone's waiting for the same confirmation that the new month has started.

In a world where we schedule everything months ahead, there's something different about a major religious observance that still depends on actually looking at the sky.

Expected End Date of Ramadan 2026

Ramadan lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the next moon sighting. Based on calculations, Ramadan 2026 should end around March 19 or 20.

That puts the last days in early spring for most of the Northern Hemisphere. Days are getting longer, temperatures warming up. For many people, the final day of Ramadan feels bittersweet—you're grateful to have finished, but also not quite ready to let the month go.

Like the beginning, the end is only official once the Shawwal moon is sighted. Until then, you prepare for either possibility and wait for the announcement.

Eid al-Fitr 2026 Expected Date

Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026.

After a month of fasting, Eid al-Fitr is the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. It's one of the most joyful days in the Islamic calendar.

How the day typically goes:

• Morning prayer: Communities gather for a special congregational prayer at mosques or outdoor spaces. Everyone wears their best clothes.
• Family visits: After prayer, families visit each other, share meals, and exchange gifts—especially for kids.
• Zakat al-Fitr: Before the prayer, Muslims give a specific charity (usually food or money) to ensure everyone can celebrate regardless of their finances.
  
  

Like Ramadan itself, the exact Eid date depends on moon sighting. Some countries might celebrate on March 20, others on March 21—this variation is normal and has always been part of how the lunar calendar works globally.

Why Ramadan Dates Change Every Year

Many people, especially children and new Muslims, ask the same question every year. Why does Ramadan move earlier each time?

The answer lies in the calendar Muslims follow. The commonly used calendar in daily life is based on the sun and has 365 days. The Islamic calendar follows the moon and has about 354 days. Because of this difference, Ramadan comes around 10 to 11 days earlier every year.

Over time, this means Ramadan moves through all seasons. One year it arrives in winter, with short and cool fasting days. Years later, it comes in summer, with long and hot days. Over a lifetime, a Muslim experiences Ramadan in every season.

Allah reminds us of this lunar system clearly in the Qur’an:

“They ask you about the phases of the moon. Say: They are a means for people to determine time and pilgrimage.” (Qur’an 2:189)

This movement through the seasons brings balance. Every Muslim experiences both ease and challenge, depending on the time of year and where they live.

Moon Sighting and Official Announcement

The beginning of Ramadan is not guessed or assumed. It is announced after careful observation and verification. This practice comes directly from the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, who taught Muslims to begin fasting when the new moon is seen.

On the 29th night of Sha‘ban, committees and trusted observers watch the sky shortly after sunset. The hilal appears as a very thin curve and is visible for a short time under the right conditions. Clear skies matter. Weather matters. Human sight matters.

If reliable witnesses confirm the sighting, the announcement is made that Ramadan begins the next day. If the moon is not seen, Sha‘ban completes 30 days. This clear and simple method has guided Muslims for generations.

Even with modern calculations that can predict the moon’s position, many scholars continue to value actual sighting because it connects worship to a visible sign that everyone can understand and share.

Ramadan 2026 Dates by Country

It often surprises people to see different countries start Ramadan on different days. This difference does not mean confusion or disagreement. It simply reflects the reality of moon sighting.

The moon may be visible in one part of the world and not in another due to the Earth’s shape and weather conditions. Because of this, Muslim communities follow different approaches. Some rely on local sightings. Others follow announcements from another country. Both methods aim to respect the lunar calendar and begin Ramadan correctly.

For Ramadan 2026, most countries are expected to start on February 19 or February 20, with the possibility of a one-day difference between regions. This has always been part of Muslim tradition and does not reduce the unity or meaning of Ramadan.

Suḥūr and Iftār Times During Ramadan 2026

Two words become part of daily life during Ramadan: suḥūr and iftār.

Suḥūr is the meal eaten before dawn. Iftār is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. These moments shape the rhythm of Ramadan days.

Because Ramadan 2026 begins in late February, fasting days will be shorter at first. As the weeks pass and spring approaches, the days will slowly become longer. The exact fasting times depend entirely on where you live.

Mosques usually share daily timetables, and many families rely on prayer apps to stay on track. While times change daily, the feeling remains the same. Quiet mornings before dawn. Peaceful evenings waiting for sunset.

Many families keep suḥūr simple and focus on drinking enough water. At iftār, breaking the fast gently helps the body and brings a sense of gratitude that words often cannot describe.

Provisional Ramadan 2026 Prayer Timetable

Date	Ramadan	Fajr	Sunrise	Dhuhr	Asr	Maghrib/Iftar	Isha
19/02/2026	1st Ramadan*	05:31	07:07	12:19	14:51	17:26	18:47
20/02/2026	2	05:29	07:05	12:19	14:52	17:28	18:49
21/02/2026	3	05:27	07:03	12:19	14:53	17:29	18:50
22/02/2026	4	05:25	07:01	12:19	14:55	17:31	18:52
23/02/2026	5	05:23	06:59	12:19	14:56	17:33	18:54
24/02/2026	6	05:21	06:56	12:19	14:57	17:35	18:55
25/02/2026	7	05:19	06:54	12:19	14:59	17:37	18:57
26/02/2026	8	05:17	06:52	12:18	15:00	17:38	18:58
27/02/2026	9	05:15	06:50	12:18	15:01	17:40	19:00
28/02/2026	10	05:13	06:48	12:18	15:03	17:42	19:01
01/03/2026	11	05:11	06:46	12:18	15:04	17:44	19:03
02/03/2026	12	05:09	06:44	12:18	15:05	17:46	19:04
03/03/2026	13	05:07	06:42	12:17	15:06	17:47	19:06
04/03/2026	14	05:04	06:39	12:17	15:07	17:49	19:07
05/03/2026	15	05:02	06:37	12:17	15:09	17:51	19:09
06/03/2026	16	05:00	06:35	12:17	15:10	17:53	19:10
07/03/2026	17	04:58	06:33	12:16	15:11	17:54	19:12
08/03/2026	18	04:56	06:31	12:16	15:12	17:56	19:13
09/03/2026	19	04:54	06:28	12:16	15:13	17:58	19:15
10/03/2026	20	04:52	06:26	12:16	15:15	17:59	19:16
11/03/2026	21	04:50	06:24	12:15	15:16	18:01	19:18
12/03/2026	22	04:47	06:22	12:15	15:17	18:03	19:19
13/03/2026	23	04:45	06:19	12:15	15:18	18:05	19:21
14/03/2026	24	04:43	06:17	12:15	15:19	18:06	19:22
15/03/2026	25	04:41	06:15	12:14	15:20	18:08	19:24
16/03/2026	26	04:39	06:13	12:14	15:21	18:10	19:25
17/03/2026	27	04:37	06:10	12:14	15:22	18:11	19:27
18/03/2026	28	04:34	06:08	12:14	15:23	18:13	19:28
19/03/2026	29	04:32	06:06	12:13	15:24	18:15	19:29
20/03/2026	30	04:30	06:03	12:13	15:25	18:17	19:31
21/03/2026	Eid ul-Fitr*	04:28	06:01	12:13	15:27	18:18	19:32

The dates for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are subject to change and will be finalized based on the sighting of the new crescent moon.

How to Prepare for Ramadan 2026

Because Ramadan 2026 begins early in the year, many Muslims are starting to prepare months ahead. The weather will still be cool in many places, which makes fasting easier physically. This gives people space to focus on the heart, the home, and the family.

Preparing the Heart

Many Muslims begin by reconnecting with the Qur’an. Some read one page a day. Others listen during their commute or before sleep. The goal is not speed, but familiarity.

Small daily supplications become part of routine life. Asking for forgiveness. Asking for strength. Asking to reach Ramadan with a clean heart.

Many also try to slowly leave habits that weigh the heart down. Speaking less harshly. Being more patient. Choosing kindness even when tired.

Preparing the Body

Sleep routines often change during Ramadan, so people start adjusting early. Sleeping a little earlier. Reducing late-night screen time. Drinking more water.

Some practice fasting once a week to help the body adjust. Others focus on lighter meals and less sugar. These small steps make the transition into Ramadan smoother.

Preparing the Home

A calm home makes Ramadan feel lighter. Families clean early, organize kitchens, and prepare a small prayer space. Planning who cooks, who cleans, and when the family prays together removes stress once fasting begins.

Parents also talk to children about Ramadan ahead of time. Teaching simple supplications. Encouraging small acts like helping set the table or giving charity.

Preparing the Community

Ramadan is not lived alone. Many people plan their charity early, especially since Ramadan 2026 falls in winter for many regions. Supporting those in need during colder months brings comfort to both giver and receiver.

Mosques also prepare ahead of time. Arranging prayers. Organizing programs. Making space for families and youth. This shared effort strengthens the sense of belonging that Ramadan brings.

FAQS

What is a realistic spiritual goal for Ramadan, not a perfect one?

A realistic goal is one you can actually keep. It might be reading a few verses of the Qur’an daily, controlling your words when tired, or being more patient with family. Small, consistent efforts often leave a deeper impact than ambitious plans that are hard to sustain.

How can someone stay connected to Ramadan while living a very busy life?

Connection does not require long hours. A quiet duʿāʾ on the way to work, listening to Qur’an while doing chores, or breaking the fast with intention can keep the heart engaged, even on the busiest days.